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Have a HearthHere are some of the hot, new products from the fireplace, barbecue, and patio show.
- By Nigel F. Maynard
Almost 55 million American homes have at least one fireplace, so it's only natural that a product category with that much penetration would have its own show, right? Well, it does, but it's much more than fireplaces. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo is an annual roving event dedicated to almost all things fire -- gas- and wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, outdoor grills, mantels, chimneys, and more.
"Today's hearth products are not just for traditional living room settings," says Jack Goldman, president of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association based in Arlington, Va. "They are also designed for the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and outdoors. Efficiency, ambiance, and ease of use are some of the key attributes of the new hearth appliances."
Held in Reno, Nev., this year's show has a number of trends that you should be aware of: Hearth products now come in a variety of colors and sizes to match any décor or application; alternative fuels such as ethanol, corn, and pellet stoves allow you to build green and still give your buyers something to warm the soul (and their soles); and as outdoor living continues to grow, so too, are the grills and outdoor accoutrements that go along with the trend.
Take a look at some of the cool new products making their debut.
Instead of wood or gas, this built-in stainless steel unit from Alfra USA uses ethanol-based alcohol, so the Creato fireplace burns clean and produces no soot, ash, or dust, the company says. The fire is merely for ambiance and will burn for 3 1/2 to seven hours depending on the flame height. It uses 3/4 of a gallon of fuel.
The Finnish manufacturer Tulikivi is known for its high-end and high-efficient certified wood stoves, and the Valkia is no exception. Made from soapstone - a material that holds heat well - the unit measures 60 1/4 inches high, 42 1/2 inches wide, and almost 20 inches deep. It is an impressive 85 percent efficient and heats 860 square feet.
So you can't install a wood or gas fireplace - try this electric unit from Burley instead. The Witham wall-mounted unit is made from steel and features leather accents. It measures 37 inches wide and 6 1/2 inches deep. It is remote-control operated.
Rinnai, known for its instant tankless hot water heaters, has now applied that technology to the fireplace. Designed to be used as a heater as well as a fireplace, the RHFE50 direct-vent gas unit has an automatic on/off that adjusts depending on the temperature needs of the room. It can heat up to 800 square feet depending on the heat loss of a room.
Every good outdoor kitchen needs an impressive grill. The 50-inch Elite Magnum Series grill from Robert H. Peterson Co. makes a strong case. The stainless steel product comes equipped with lights, quiet ignition, four burning zones, digital thermometer, 60,000 BTU power burner, and four storage compartments below. A warming drawer is optional.
